Fake Protecto-plates

[Bill E.]

I know about fake window stickers and tank build sheets but what about protecto-plates? Do they exist? If so, what would give them away? Also, in 1974 were the plates attached to the New Vechicle Warranty? Thanks, Bill

[Harmon C.]

Re: Fake Protecto-plates

74's had no protecto plates Lyle

[Jack H.]

But...

in general 'reproduction' Protect-0-Plates ARE available. About the only thing that would 'give them away' is the lack of age/surface oxidation, the 'freshness' of the GM impregnated Dymo label stick-ons and, perhaps, some expert analysis of the particular font & character spacing of the Addressograph/Multigraph used to make the reproduction POP vs. known factory originals punched out in a similar time frame...

But, calling such a reproduction a 'fake' is rather harsh. The concept is to 'restore' a Corvette and many factory original items were discarded by prior owners of these cars once they served their original useful lives. One would be hard-pressed to attempt to make a warranty claim using a reproduction POP on a 20-30 year old car! Plus, a serious buyer who looks at the POP as some kind of undisputed proof of factory configuration authenticity needs to have his head examined...

The POP is just another aspect of the car's original build configuration. And, if the reproduction POP accurately reflects the car's factory original configuration, then where's the 'fake' aspect to it in the restoration game? Seems to me that's like calling a correct, correct dated, rebuilt water pump a 'fake'. Rather harsh in my judgment...

[Bill E.]

Re: But...

Jack, you make a valid point. My comments were motivated my some of the "documentation" I've seen. I didn't mean to imply that correct rebuilt water pumps, or for that mater, reproduction parts when originals are no longer available are fakes. Partularily when there are good guys out there like the Doctor who go to extremes to honestly represent their products.

There is, as you know, a whole big world outside of NCRS. More than a few people are motivated to cobble together a Corvette and then build a "fake" paper trail to authenticate their wrong engined, wrong optioned creation with window stickers, build sheets and the "original owner's packet". If you get a chance, check out the used Corvettes at the Hershey Car Show, it can be both amusing and disturbing.